text:
John Adkisson / Reuters file
The Rev. Mark Harris endorsed a Republican candidate for the state Supreme Court during his sermon Oct. 7 at First Baptist Church in Charlotte, N.C.
With the presidential election a dead heat and many other races too close to call, hundreds of religious leaders nationwide are urging their congregations to vote for a specific candidate. They break the law when they do so — that's the point — but it's unclear whether there's any real penalty for pastors who make such endorsements from the pulpit.
About 1,600 pastors across the country violated a 58-year-old ban on political endorsements by churches in October by explicitly backing political candidates in their Sunday sermons, according to the Alliance Defending Freedom of Scottsdale, Ariz., a conservative Christian legal organization behind a campaign called Pulpit Freedom Sunday.
The 1954 law they are challenging prohibits charitable groups, including most churches, from making candidate endorsements, but doesn't bar ministers, priests, rabbis and imams from speaking out on other ballot issues, like voter initiatives, or organizing get-out-the-vote drives and education efforts around elections themselves.
The alliance is seeking to force a court showdown over the constitutionality of the law, violation of which can cost churches their tax-exempt status. Since Oct. 7, the original Pulpit Freedom Day, many pastors who participated in the protest have posted their remarks online or sent them to the Internal Revenue Service, essentially daring the agency charged with enforcing the prohibition to put up or shut up.
So far, the IRS has done the latter.
The Alliance Defending Freedom asserts that it's working to further the rights of all religious groups, but it's an explicitly Christian organization, with a heavy representation of evangelical members and leaders. One clue to its philosophy is that it made it Pulpit Freedom "Sunday" — choosing the Christian Sabbath, instead of more broadly embracing the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday) and the Muslim day of worship (Friday).
So it's no surprise that an unscientific survey of the posted endorsements indicates that they skewed overwhelmingly in favor of Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, as in these representative samples:
In a guest sermon at Calvary Chapel in Chino Hills, Calif., Wayne Gruden, a professor and theologian at Phoenix Seminary in Arizona, recommended that "all citizens" vote for Romney "and Republicans in general" (the endorsement begins at 59:58):
Wayne Gruden, a professor and theologian at Phoenix Seminary in Arizona, endorses Mitt Romney.
Pastor Ken Redmond of Abundant Life Worship Center in Midland, Texas, told his congregation they shouldn't vote for President Barack Obama, saying, "Here is your choice: a Mormon or a Muslim" (the remarks begin at 33:17):
And Bishop Samuel A.L Pope Sr. told his congregation at Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church in California City, Calif., not to vote for Obama (the statement begins at 26:54):
Bishop Samuel A.L Pope Sr. endorses Mitt Romney at Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church in California City, Calif.
As of Friday, none of the hundreds of pastors who took part in the protest reported hearing back from the government. In fact, the Alliance Defending Freedom says, only one of the churches that have taken part in Pulpit Freedom Sundays over the last five years has been the target of IRS action, and that case was dropped shortly after the IRS lost a separate legal ruling almost four years ago.
The Internal Revenue Code specifies that all section 501(c)(3) organizations are "absolutely prohibited" from taking part in, contributing to or making any statement "in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for public office."
But enforcement appears to have halted completely in early 2009 after Living Word Christian Center of Brooklyn Park, Minn., successfully appealed an audit that the IRS launched after its pastor endorsed Republican Rep. Michelle Bachmann for re-election. The judge ruled (.pdf) that the IRS was technically violating its own regulations in deciding whether to audit churches for banned political activities — because the official making that decision wasn't high enough on the Treasury Department's organization chart.
The IRS, however, isn't acknowledging that it has stopped enforcing the ban on candidate endorsements by officials of 501(c)3 charitable organizations.
In response to queries from NBC News, the IRS disavowed comments by a regional official of its division overseeing tax-exempt organizations, who said last month that the agency was "holding any potential church audits in abeyance" while it revises its regulations in light of the 2009 ruling.
Dean Patterson, a spokesman for the IRS, said the official "misspoke," adding: "The IRS continues to run a balanced program that follows up on potential non-compliance, while ensuring the appropriate oversight and review to determine that compliance activities are necessary and appropriate."
Noting that it's barred by law from discussing individual tax cases, the IRS declined NBC News' request for documentation showing that it has taken any action against politicking from the pulpit since then.
Full coverage of Decision 2012 on NBC Politics
But Erik Stanley, senior legal counsel for the Alliance Defending Freedom, said it's clear that the agency is sidestepping the issue.
"We surmise the IRS has shut down all its church audits," Stanley said. As time goes on, he added, "It may become clear that the IRS has taken the position that it will not censor a pastor."
(As it happens, there is a legal way for churches to endorse candidates and still not pay taxes, by registering with the IRS under a different section of the tax code, 501(c)4. But nearly all religious institutions reject that choice because individuals who give money to 501(c)4 groups aren't allowed to claim tax deductions for their donations. Donations to 501(c)3 groups are deductible.)
A matter of politics, not constitutionality
While the issue is often cast in terms of separation of church and state, the prohibition on candidate endorsements is a political one, not a constitutional one. If anything, "from a constitutional perspective ... American churches have had every right to endorse or oppose political candidates" since 1819, James Davidson, a prominent religion scholar, wrote in a landmark 1998 paper (.pdf) in the Review of Religious Research.
That was when the Supreme Court ruled — in a case involving banks, not churches — that the federal government had the power to limit taxation of specific enterprises in furtherance of the public good, quoting Daniel Webster's argument that "the power to tax is the power to destroy." Subsequent law extended that philosophy to establish that charitable groups could seek exemption from taxation.
The prohibition on candidate endorsements comes from a different source. It dates only to 1954, and like the 1819 decision, it applies to all 501(c)3 charitable groups, not just churches. Democratic Sen. Lyndon Johnson of Texas inserted it into the tax code as he was fighting off a re-election challenge backed by tax-exempt political foundations that historians have linked with the anti-Communist witch hunts of Sen. Joseph McCarthy.
Stay informed with the latest headlines; sign up for our newsletter
The measure passed with little debate. Its effect was to muzzle religious leaders, even though "there is no evidence that a religious element played a significant part in Johnson's decision," Patrick L. O'Daniel, an adjunct professor at the University of Texas Law School, wrote in a 2001 reconstruction of the bill's passage in the Boston College Law Review.
Whether Johnson intended it that way or not, religious leaders have argued that the provision is an unacceptable stifling of their constitutional rights.
"This is about restoring biblical authority and a constitutional right for pastors to speak freely from the pulpit without any fear of the government on cultural and societal issues from a biblical perspective. And that includes commenting on the positions of the candidates," the Rev. Dann E. Travis, pastor of Crossroads of Life Church in Binghampton, N.Y., said to cheers from the congregation last week.
The Rev. Rob Rotola, who took part in Pulpit Freedom Sunday at Word of Life Ministries in Wichita, Kan., told NBC station KSN: "The concept of separation of church and state meant that the state was to keep out of the affairs of the church, not that the church was supposed to be silent about things about the state."
- Baptist/Southern Baptist 409
- Assemblies of God 36
- Nazarene 34
- Church of God 32
- Presbyterian 17
- Lutheran 12
- Church of Christ 11
- Catholic 10
- Allliance Church 7
- Anglican 4
- Messianic Jewish 3
- Nondenominational/ unaffiliated/other 993
Sources: Alliance Defending Freedom, NBC News research
But other religious figures see a political angle — specifically, a conservative and evangelical angle — behind the challenge to the law.
The Rev. Barry Lynn, a minister in President Barack Obama's United Church of Christ and executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said the Alliance Defending Freedom was hiding behind "a fiction that there's a war against Christianity." The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., he said, managed to preach about politics almost every day of his adult life without ever endorsing a political candidate.
"It's time to get serious about this, because we could end up with a corruption not only of the political process but of the integrity of the genuine prophetic message of churches," Lynn said in a recent interview on State of Belief Radio.
The Rev. Fester Coffee-Prose, youth minister at First Christian Church in Tyler, Texas, also objected, saying politics should be left to politicians, not pastors.
"While we might take stands on certain issues, when it comes to the candidates, the church should be a place where people of diverse backgrounds and diverse beliefs gather," he told NBC station KETK. "I don't necessarily believe that we should be endorsing any one candidate from the pulpit."
Also of concern to some religious leaders is the alliance leadership's connections to conservative organizations and causes: Its president, Alan Sears, was director of Attorney General Edwin Meese's Commission on Pornography during the Reagan administration, and other board members represent the Latino Partnership for Conservative Principles, the anti-abortion activist group Susan B. Anthony List and the conservative evangelical ministry Focus on the Family.
- 87 percent believe pastors shouldn't endorse candidates from the pulpit
- 44 percent have endorsed candidates, but only outside their church roles
- 78 percent disagreed that this election has been "too religious"
Source: LifeWay Research, May 2012. Margin of error: plus or minus 3.2 percentage points.
Pulpit Freedom Sunday itself was similarly overwhelmingly Christian, with an emphasis on evangelicalism. Working from a list of ministries that signed up in advance, NBC News tabulated that 98 percent were evangelical or otherwise Protestant ministries.
Just 10 Catholic priests took part, defying the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' directive that church leaders "are to avoid endorsing or opposing candidates or telling people how to vote."
Only four Anglican ministers signed up. No imams or traditional rabbis were listed — the three synagogues on the roster are Messianic Jewish congregations, which proclaim the divinity of Jesus.
In a statement, the Council on American-Islamic Relations said it had reminded imams and khateebs (those who give the sermon during Friday prayers) that tax-exempt mosques "cannot explicitly or implicitly endorse candidates." Likewise, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs pointed to its standing directive that "organizations may not rate, endorse or oppose candidates for public office."
The alliance, nonetheless, says its campaign is about a larger question.
"Eventually, we'll have a test case about the constitutionality of the Johnson Amendment," Stanley said. "The IRS has really left pastors and churches no option if they believe they have the right to speak freely from their pulpit."
More content from NBCNews.com:
- Boy falls into zoo exhibit, mauled to death by African painted dogs
- Weed wars: If states legalize pot, will feds still crack down?
- Delphi retirees say government betrayed them
- Nonvoters: They're too busy, fed up or say their vote doesn't count
- Video: Marathon runners racing to help out Sandy victims
Follow US news from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook


text:
Why buy from StudentDiscounts.com?
This is a 12 month license. For academic use only. Teachers, schools, and students must provide proof of eligibility.
If you need a 2 or 3 year version please click here. Runs on Windows 7 (service pack 2 or higher) windows 8 and 10 and Mac OS 10.10, 10.11 or 10.12
No need to worry about purchasing the right version. Exchanges are allowed!
For a comparison of all IBM SPSS versions, please click here.
Using IBM SPSS Statistics, you can:
Descriptive Statistics
IBM SPSS Statistics Base contains procedures for the projects you are working on now and any new ones to come. You can be confident that you'll always have the analytic tools you need to get the job done quickly and effectively.
Please Note:
System Requirements:
License Term: 12 months
Operating system: Microsoft Windows 7(Service pack 2 or higher), 8 or 10 Desktops/laptops only.
Intel® or AMD x86 processor running at 1GHz or higher
Memory: 1GB RAM or more recommended
Minimum free drive space: 800MB***
DVD drive
Super VGA (800x600) or higher-resolution monitor
Web browser: Internet Explorer 7 or 8
Operating system: * Apple® Mac 10.10, 10.11, and 10.12 or higher

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Sold Out
All sales are final. No refunds.
If for any reason you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase, Mango Molli Swimwear will exchange the size or style if it is within 14 days of your delivery date.
All items must have tags and sanitary liners in place in order to do an exchange or to be issued store credit.
Due to health regulations, styles that are soiled, worn, damaged or laundered will not be accepted. No exceptions.
If we receive such goods, they will be returned to you and you will be charged for the return shipping.
If you would like to do an exchange, please follow these guidelines in order to receive a Return Authorization (RA)Number.
1. Please email us at email@example.com to request an RA#. Once we have received your request, we will email you an RA number.
2. Once you have received your RA number and confirmation of your exchange, please mail your exchange to the following address:
Mango Molli Swimwear
Attn: Returns/Exchanges
418 Cerrillos Rd. #1-E
Santa Fe, NM 87501
Please include the RA # on the front of your package.
Please ship your items back using a trackable shipping method. Mango Molli Swimwear is not responsible for lost or stolen packages.
Once your return has been received and it meets the above return/exchange requirements, we will process your exchange within 1 day.
Clients are responsible for all return shipping charges for exchanges.
Store Credit
If you would like to be issued a store credit, please indicate in your email that you would like to receive a store credit.
Once your return has been received and it meets the above return/exchange requirements, you will receive an email confirmation that your store credit (minus our shipping costs) has been issued and you will be emailed a store credit in the form of a gift card to be used toward any future purchases. Store Credit/Gift Cards are valid for 5 years from issue date.
Mango Molli Swimwear offers Free USPS Shipping on all U.S. orders over $100.
U.S. Orders
*USPS Mail – arrives in 2-7 business days
Orders over $100 (Free)
Orders under $100 ($5.00)
* Free Shipping does not apply to returns/exchanges. Client is responsible for shipping costs related to returns/exchanges.
Canadian Orders
*DHL $50 (Signature Required)
Canada (Arrives in 7-15 Business Days)
We do not offer shipping Internationally, with the exception of Canada at this time.
For International Orders: Additional taxes and duties assessed by customs are the responsibility of the client. Mango Molli Swimwear has no control over the fees charged. If you need additional information regarding taxes and duties, please contact your local customs office.
The Estella is one of our most popular bottoms! She shows off a hint of hip through her cutout sides, and lays flat against the skin without pinching to flatter any body type. Her sleek silhouette is seamless in the front and self-lined to create the ultimate go-to bikini bottom.
- Hipster bottom
- Cutout slit detail at each hip
- Buttery soft luxurious fabric
- Lined
- Size XS-XL
- 80% nylon, 20% spandex
- Made in the USA
- Like all delicates, shape, color and fit are best preserved if hand washed in cold water. Lay flat to dry.
- Style # SS32C14 / SS32F14
- Coverage: Classic and Full
- Modeled in classic coverage size S
- Model Measurements:
- Size S - Height 5'9 ½", Bust 34, Waist 25, Hips 35
- Size L - Height 5'9", Bust 39" D, Waist 29, Hips 42


text:
PDP Tom Bracket
Get a great deal on the PDP Tom Bracket at Drum Central, the home of drummers since 1999. Express 7 days a week delivery is available in most parts of the U.K and free on orders over £100.
Every one of our friendly staff are expert drummers themselves and are ready to advise you in any way possible, be it guiding a complete novice to the ideal choice or bouncing around new ideas with an experienced drummer. If you aren't sure the PDP Tom Bracket is the one for you, feel free to give us an email or call.
Check out the Drum Central Player Zone for more hints, tips, advice and fun stuff.
- Description
- Delivery & Returns
PDP Tom bracket
10,5 mm
Any items held at our warehouse and ordered before 12pm will be dispatched same-day. For any special order items, we will be in touch directly with tracking information. Delivery is free for most of the U.K. on all orders over £100 and others start from just £2.99.
We offer 'Express Shipping' on all items meaning that, for most parts of the U.K., your order will be with you next working day. In some areas, such as the Highlands and Islands, delivery will be two days (this will be reflected in your estimated delivery date at checkout). Most items are shipped with DPD meaning you will be given a one hour delivery window on the day of delivery. Smaller items are sent First Class with Royal Mail. If you are in a hurry or need a more specific delivery date and time delivery upgrades such as Next Day before 10am, Next Day before 12pm and Saturday or Sunday delivery can be selected at checkout.
Our DPD deliveries are carbon neutral and, where possible, we reuse packing to cut down on waste.
Estimated delivery by 09/10/2020SKU: PD888850
Related products
Pearl BC-930 Boom Cymbal Stand£73.39 Estimated delivery by 01/10/2020
Pearl D-790 Drum Stool£57.79 Estimated delivery by 01/10/2020
Mapex Mars 600 Series Hi Hat Stand£69.99 Estimated delivery by 01/10/2020
What Our Customers Think
The DC guys really know their stuff. Best drum store in Scotland. Will be back!
Donavan HepburnDrummer - Take That, ELO
Thanks again drum central! Always great service and quick delivery.
Mark RichardsonDrummer - Skunk Anansie


text:
Your shopping cart is empty.
To listen to any of these tracks, click the play button next to each track title.
'Razzamajazz' - A stunning and jazzy collection of songs, dances and instrumental activities, musical games and stories for funky kids of all ages.
Order with confidence with our 'Look and Listen' policy. You can purchase any of our resources and keep them for up to 14 days so you can have a look and a listen. Then you have the option of keeping them or returning them*
(*Some conditions apply - please contact us for details)
Copyright © Welcome To Music 2020. All rights reserved.
Icons by Dry Icons, Fam Fam Fam. Web design & development by Kirk Beard | SEO Company by WME.
Welcome to Music is a great music education resource for teachers and students alike!
teaching music resources and music resources for primary teachers. primary music resources
If you would like us to run a music workshop at your school then get in touch! We have great music lesson plans.
for preschool music we have great preschool music activities and programs and early childhood music.
musical professional development


text:
Attempt Failed!
See Current
Most Cans Crushed And Thrown Into A Recycling Bin In 30 Seconds
Jordan Yaun
De Soto, Wisconsin, United States / October 11, 2011
Jordan Yaun crushed and threw 36 cans into a recycling bin in 30 seconds.
FAILED: Does not beat current record.
Stride's setting 100 records in 100 days. At the end of 100 days, we'll verify if you are the standing Record Holder. If you are, you'll get $500 for each record you managed to hold with your guile, talent, and sheer will.
General caution and common sense required. We show the Stride Team at work, but recommend that these challenges be done at home.
- must crush cans one at a time
- must throw cans one at a time
- only crushed cans thrown into recycling bin within time limit are counted
- may not crush cans in advance
Mick Cullen
Sorry you feel that way, Hunter, but a precedent was set earlier on this record when they made the same ruling about a different video, simply subtracting a can from the total when the person threw two cans at once. This wasn't the first time they made that decision.
Dan Rollman
Money will not be split. I'm sorry Jordan -- this decision is out of our hands.
Hunter Vanness
as in what the rules say, you shouldnt accept it if you throw two in at a time
Jordan Yaun
i have no clue because i read it as only one of us gets the title of being the world record holder? idk im confused now too...
Mick Cullen
Is that what they meant, Jordan? That wasn't what I got from Dan's post, but maybe I misread it.
Jordan Yaun
so the money is still split...i just won't be recognized as the winner...sounds good to me...congrats mick :)
Dan Rollman
Following extended dialogue with the team at Stride today, we need to provide clarity about what a "tie" is. We were incorrect in believing that any category in which two or more people submit the same approved value is counted as a "tie." A "tie" only happens when two or more people submit EXACTLY THE SAME VALUE at EXACTLY THE SAME TIME.
For this category and all others in which there are ties, the FIRST entrant to submit an approved value will be recognized as the winner. Later attempts which match that value will be recognized as DENIED attempts. This stays in line with our existing RecordSetter policy, in which you need to BEAT an existing record in order to gain world record recognition.
We are incredibly sorry for the confusion on this issue. It's an unfortunate situation, and one we feel badly about. As a token of our apology, we will send a RecordSetter t-shirt and a copy of The RecordSetter Book of World Records to all of those affected directly by this issue.
Dan Rollman
Correct, all. Ties will be split.
Alyjha Williams
Jordan Yaun
sweet...yeah true true...well good job on the 36 man...
Mick Cullen
Jordan's right. And hey, I'd rather split it than get nothing! Congrats, Jordan.
Jordan Yaun
well if you refer to the comments on Long Lasting Record #9: Most People To Wear The Same Suit In One Minute...they had a tie and Dan Rollman said ties will be split...
Jordan Yaun
So Since This Was A Tie Is The Money Going To Be Split?
Rob Birdsong
Jordan, your final and 37th can did not fall within the 30 second time limit.
Jordan Yaun
why is my 36 cans a fail when its a tie? and why was my 37 cans denied??
Rob Birdsong
Hunter - thanks for your note. We noticed the same thing, hence the count "36" instead of "37".
Hunter Vanness
Hunter Vanness
on micks new record, please not that he threw two cans in one time, more than once
Brian Pankey
Mick your always a man who does good deeds! Recycling rules!
Mick Cullen
Thanks, Emily! :)
Emily Patricia
Nice job, Mick!
Dan Rollman
Gold Member As long as it is a proper recycling bin, any size is permissible.
Dan Rollman
Austin Cummings
he threw them in 2 at a time at :29
Justin Lister
Alyjha Williams
lol i was going to upload my 15 but 15 is a crappy number
Gold Member
what are the official dimensions of the recycling bin!
History (11)
MickCullen on 10/11/201136
JordanYaun on 10/11/201136
JordanYaun on 10/11/201134
HunterVanness on 10/6/201130
MickCullen on 10/1/201119
NeilMoallem on 9/29/201124
BenJenkins on 9/28/201118
SeanTreacy on 9/25/201118
BenJenkins on 9/25/201115
JustinLister on 9/24/20115
Stride on 9/24/2011


text:
Sign in below for a faster checkout.
The AZ SLING Trigger ultra light weight ball bearing design features a beveled edge providing better control as well as balance, making walking the trigger feel like running. The AZ PROFILE on/off ASA slick contour design gives an aerodynamic look as you dominate the game. The MASS FLOW Valve enables maximum air efficiency and a faster rate of fire, giving you the upper hand on the field. The ROCK STEADY regulator enhances performance and shortens FPS variation making every shot as reliable as the next. Get in touch with the Zen Board III provides longer battery life and modified fire modes; Semi-Auto, PSP Ramp, Millennium Ramp, and Full Auto.
© 2015 ActionVillage. All Rights Reserved. Built with Volusion. Designed by Brand Labs.


text:
A Brazilian citizen was charged with sending threatening emails about a flight from Miami to Brasilia last week.
A criminal complaint was filed against Francisco Fernando Cruz, 22, who allegedly sent emails threatening that a TAM Airlines flight would headed from Miami to Brasilia on Jan. 10 would "go down," according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
The complaint says Cruz sent an email to the Miami-Dade Police Department and TAM Airlines on Jan. 8 that read:
"Flight must not take off. Targeted. It will go down. Retaliation. Cargo is dangerous. Be advised."
When police traced the email, they found it came from a computer at Montclair State University in New Jersey, according to the DOJ. The university was able to capture video of the person using the kiosk that sent the email and when a second threatening email was sent the next day, officials were able to identify Cruz.
Officials said Cruz traveled from New York to Miami and was scheduled to go to Brasilia on the flight he mentioned in the threatening email, DOJ officials said.
If convicted, Cruz faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,00 fine. The case is set for a pretrial detention hearing on Jan. 14 and arraignment on Jan. 24.